The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-04-09

these old cities-places lnIected WIFI
would not be dissuaded,
but said "Where my people can live and
die sure can CO."
In his present visit to Florence he
himself went to the Ghetto-the Five
Points of F1orence-and when he~saw
for himself what places people were
living in, he said: '.Let all these build
ings be demolished; they are not fit for
human beings to live in. A people
can't be improved as long as they live
in such places. And their charities to
help on improvements, to encourage in
dustries of every kind. to better the
educational institutions of every kind
are immense, and the economy in the
royal household, their simplicity OF liv-
ing, might well be an example to thou
sands of the rich families in our republic
an country.
The Queen herself visited many of
the schools Of various grades in the
city, and many touching stories are
told of her reception by the teachers
and the children. In one school OF quite
small children all r,se upon her en-
trance and came to meet her, each with
Marguerite pinred upon her heart,
and singing beautiful little song OF
welcome andVlove, which greatly at
fected the royal visitor. She talked
with the teachers, inquired into the
studies of pupils. methods of conduct
ing the schools, and to-day, from stories
that are told me by persons who say
they know about these things, should
think Queen Margherita knew as well
about the practical working Of schools
for the education of the people OF Italy,
as many of our county superintendent
know of the schools in their districts.
She and the King are both early risers.
He is never in bed, it is said, after six
o'clock in the morning. They. accord
ing to the Italian custom, take their
coffee and roll together, and then work.
each in his and her department, is the
order of the day. In Florence they have
almost invariably driven out in the after
noon, sometimes together and some
times in separate carriages. With the
Queen he is. when have seen them, in
q simple citizens dress. He is sad
looking man. He feels that in
inheriting the crown of Italy he has
inherited heavy charge, which imposes
on him serious duties.
| A lady whose acquaintance l have
CHANGED to make here, and who is 9
teacher of Italian in the house where
am staying, told me that her husband
who is an officer in the army, came in
haste one morning few days since say
ing that he had just learned that the
King and Queen were to visit Mr.
G@'s studio. quite near the house
where they were living, and asked heI
if she would not like to take the "baby.
as he called little boy of four years
old, perhaps, and go into the studio
with which they were familiar, at thu
same time. She arranged her dress ,
little as soon as possible, took the chile
and they all went in together. The chile
is beautiful. bright little fellow, whom
no one could well help caressing, which
she said both the King and Queen, EN-
tirely forgetful of majesty, did just a
simply and naturally as one of he
neighbors would haye done.
In a Life of Victor Emmanuel,
written by an English woman, that ha
fallen into my hands since have beef
in Florence, the writer, in giving al
account of the match and the marriage
with which Victor Emmanuel is said t.
have been much pleased, thus writes o
Margherita at the time of their mar
riage:
"Margherita was now lovely girl o
eighteen, delicately fair, with eyes of
deeper hue than usually accompany
blond complexion, and a smile of be
witching sweetness. That smile is al
ways ready in answer to the large ant
affectionate greetings of the people
Whether it be gay or sad, it goe
through to the hearts of the Italian
and stirs a sentiment Of respectful ad
miration in the foreign spectator
Margherita's excellent qualities, win
ming sweetness of character and pei
sonal grace has endeared her to tn
nation in an extraordinary degree, par
ticularly since her husband came t
the throne. As Princess she was beloved
as Queen she is absolutely adored."
She is said to be a person of mos
varied requirements and has always
with all her cares and duties, been ais
. a student. She speaks all the leadin
languages of Europe with as much flu
ency as her own. They tell me that n
one born and bred in England speak
English more purely and fluently tina
the Queen. She is also especially fon
} of the natural sciences, of which he
knowledge fits her to converse with il